Instant Pot Shredded Chicken

5 from 1 vote

Make the best shredded chicken in the Instant Pot! This easy recipe is perfect for tacos, sandwiches, soups, and meal prep. Try it today!

Prep Time5

Cook Time10

10 natural pressure release10

Total Time25

Course: Main Course, Dinner, Entree

Cuisine: American

Servings: servings

Calories: 133kcal

2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 2-3 breasts)
1 cup chicken broth or stock
2 teaspoons poultry seasoning For homemade versions, try our chicken seasoning blend, or see notes for a substitution.

Add the breasts to the bottom of the insert of the pressure cooker. Pour in the stock or broth, and top with the seasoning.
Seal the lid by twisting it on and locking in place. Set the sealing lever or button to seal, if needed for your model. Set cooker to "High Pressure" for 10 minutes.
Once pressure cooking is done (most models emit a beep) do a natural pressure release by leaving the Instant Pot alone for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, carefully turn the lever or press the button to release the pressure from the cooker. Check the pressure pin on your model to ensure that the pressure has fully released.
Use two forks or a mixer to shred the meat. See notes below for tips on using a mixer for this. Stir the shredded breasts in the broth mixture to allow it to soak up the juices and seasoning.
Serve the chicken in tortillas for enchiladas, tacos or burritos, or on top of mashed potatoes, or with beans for a tasty dinner. See recipe notes for storage information.

For extra flavor, sear the meat using the Instant Pot’s sauté function before pressure cooking. This enhances the taste and gives it a richer texture!

Shred chicken with a mixer: Add your chicken breasts to a mixing bowl. Use the wire or flat beaters set at low speed for 15-30 seconds or until the meat is shredded.
Serving suggestions: use in chicken enchiladas, buffalo chicken dip, served over mashed potatoes,

Ingredient Notes:

Homemade poultry seasoning blend: 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 paprika, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instant Pot Shredded Chicken Tacos: Use our chicken taco seasoning and 1 cup of water in place of the chicken seasoning and chicken broth or stock. Shred chicken as directed then use in tortillas and top with shredded cheese, shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, and salsa.

Recipe variations:

- BBQ shredded chicken: After shredding, mix in your favorite BBQ sauce and serve on BBQ sliders or sandwiches.

- Garlic herb: Add extra onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper for a simple but delicious meal.

- Big batch meal prep: Make a double batch and store leftovers in storage bags in the fridge or freezer for quick meals all week! Add it to your rice to make chicken fried rice or toss them in your Mexican stew!

Storing Instructions:

In an air tight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. To freeze, use a freezer-safe container and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.